After first and second readings at their regular meeting held April 14, the Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved ordinances creating a limitation upon ownership of dogs and restricting pit bull and rottweiler dogs within the city.
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City Administrator Zac Johnson said the ordinances were a needed step that came as a result of problems in the past.
"The city has had several complaints on neighboring individuals," he said. "Lots of towns have gone to these types of ordinances, banning pit bulls and rottweilers. The city decided to take a proactive approach, rather than waiting on something to happen."
Ownership of dogs in town is now limited to three.
"People with dogs above the limit need to start thinking about finding them good homes," said Mr. Johnson.
The city has100 registered dogs in town with five registered pit bulls. There are no rottweilers registered.
While ownership of pit bulls and rottweilers is basically prohibited, Mr. Johnson said the city will work with present owners.
"Those five that own pit bulls can keep their dogs," said Mr. Johnson. "But there is a list of criteria, like dog pen structure. Owners have been delivered the list, but should contact city hall if they have questions."
Chief of Police Mark Richards points out that in the past, more than two dogs within a residential area was considered a kennel and required the owner to go before the zoning board, get a license from the state, and a business license for a kennel. The new ordinance allows for three dogs.
Violating city ordinance on dog limitations is considered a misdemeanor.
Mr. Johnson discussed the water plant and water towers. The water towers were inspected during the fall of 2007 and he submitted the results of that inspection. The report stated that the old water tower needs to come down and the new water tower is in need of several repairs that add up to approximately $90,000.
Mr. Johnson said the old water tower runs 75,000 gallons and the new water tower runs 250,000 gallons and the system is interconnected. He said it would take some work before the city’s system would be ready to take the old tower down.
Repairs to the new tower mean painting the outside and sandblasting and repainting the inside.
Mr. Johnson said the board had looked at several option to pay for the repairs. The most attractive option was a bid received from Utility Service Company out of Liberty that would spread the cost over three years.
The work will likely begin this fall.
"We’d like to get through the heavy usage of summer," he said. "And begin when things slow down in the fall."
Mr. Johnson also recommended that the new water tower be placed on a maintenance program so repairs would be done as needed. He said Utility Service Company offered such a maintenance program. The city would pay an annual fee and the company would handle all maintenance to the tower.
Mr. Johnson told the board that the city received its FEMA money from the ice storm, which was approximately $32,000.
He discussed a dump truck and new rider mower the city is looking at purchasing. The board agreed to let Mr. Johnson make the decision on the rider mower since it was in this year’s budget. Further discussion will be held on the dump truck.
Police Chief Mark Richards reported on activity from March 31 to April 14. Reports Taken/Tickets Given: 2 – Accidents; 1 – Burglary; 1 – Trespassing; 3 – Speeding; 1 – No Seat Belt; 1 – Harassment; 1 – Theft of a Credit Card; 2 – Driving while License Suspended; 1 – Receiving Stolen Property; 1 – Fail to Provide Insurance; 1 – Fail to Stop at Stop Sign; 1 – Failed to yield for school bus loading/unloading; 1 – Tampering with a Motor Vehicle; 1 – Interfering with Government Operations; 1 – Stealing a Motor Vehicle; 1 – Property Damage; 1 – Peace Disturbance; 1 – No Operators License; 2 – Dogs at Large; 1 – Elderly Abuse. There are five dogs in the pound.
City Clerk Autumn Acree read the following election certification results submitted by the Daviess County Clerk: East Ward – Carla Arnold 31, John Whitfield 96; West Ward – Dan Lockridge 84. The results were accepted and the city clerk gave the Oath of Office to the newly elected officials. The current board members changed seats with the new board members. Bob Snidow was appointed president of the board.
Zac Johnson and Steve Reid were appointed planning and zoning administrators.
Robert Cowherd of Chapman, Cowherd, Turner & Tschannen, PC, was appointed city attorney. Julia Filley was appointed as municipal court attorney.
Discussion was held on the financial statement.
Bills in the amount of $170,035.95 were approved for payment.
Mr. Johnson discussed an underground electric line that is located on Steve Holcomb’s property.
During comments by aldermen, Bob Snidow inquired about the water line replacement on South Prospect. Mr. Johnson said that it is near completion. The water line is for the new church south of town.
Mayor Ballew welcomed John Whitfield to the board.
The board entered into closed session pursuant to legal actions and litigation and hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting employees.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the City of Gallatin held on April 14 at city hall. Present was Mayor Barb Ballew; aldermen Bob Snidow, J.D. Dowell, John Whitfield, Barry Wood and Dan Lockridge; City Administrator Zac Johnson; City Clerk Autumn Acree; Police Chief Mark Richards; Police Chaplain Austin Bonnett; and Carla Arnold.